Regional Emergency Hub Coordinator (East and Southern Africa) at Lutheran World Federation

The purpose of this position is to support the emergency response in East and Southern Africa in support of the LWF World Service Global Strategy.

This is a highly operational position that requires maturity, integrity, good management skills and a good understanding of humanitarian action and principles. The Coordinator is based in Nairobi, Kenya, but will travel extensively mainly in the region but on occasions may also be asked to support outside of the region. He/she reports to the Global Humanitarian Coordinator based in Geneva, with an administrative line management from the Country Representative of LWF Kenya-Somalia.

Aside from providing strategic and operational oversight of the Global Humanitarian Team’s response in the region, this position will also be responsible for fostering interdepartmental cooperation, coordination with related agencies, UN agencies and other partners, and representation in regional humanitarian inter-agency networks and meetings. The incumbent is also responsible for assessing and starting up new emergency operations for LWF World Service in the region.

Main duties

• Setting up new humanitarian operations in the region
• Prepare LWF World Service regional emergency strategy which would include mapping and sharing updated information on current and anticipated emergencies in the region, particularly in (but not limited to) areas where there is no active LWF WS presence.
• Carry out capacity assessments of potential host programs or entities, including LWF member churches, in all countries in the region to develop and implement humanitarian activities and organize capacity building programs.
• Work towards the establishment of links and MoUs between LWF World Service and potential host programs or entities, including LWF member churches, in countries in which World Service is not present in advance to facilitate the provision of timely support during large scale emergencies.
• Maintain an up-to –date list of all potential organizations who are regularly engaged in disaster and humanitarian response especially government, (National Disaster Management Authorities), UN agencies, Bilateral organizations, I/NGOs and churches and keep regular contact with them so that the Hub has already a to partner base in case of an emergency in the countries of the region
• Plan and carry out humanitarian needs assessments in coordination with other actors on the ground when an emergency or humanitarian response becomes necessary.
• Liaise with other NGOs, INGOs and UN organizations to coordinate and determine operational areas of Intervention.
• Coordinate the operational setting up of activities in the country concerned
• Prepare a roster of skilled staff (WASH, CBPSS, shelter, food security/nutrition CCCM etc) for deployment on short notice when needed. Prepare generic ToRs for roster deployment in advance.
• Ensure that new staff entering into LWF World Service new programs receive support and guidelines on the security, operational, management and finance guidelines of LWF World Service humanitarian operations in line with approved manual available with World Service.
• Ensure that the project management systems are set up in according with LWF World Service processes, manage appropriate repositories and archives for project documentation.
• Ensure that appeals and project proposals are prepared to support the emergency operations
• Collect, analyze and report on starting or scaling up operations & disseminate learning’s throughout LWF network
• Support in the initiation and implementation of emergency response in existing country programs
• Support the country programs in carrying out emergency needs assessments
• Support the country programs in scaling up their interventions, including providing extra technical expertise and hands on the ground
• Support the country programs in preparing emergency appeals and other applications and project proposals as appropriate and requested.
• Support in strengthening disaster preparedness and humanitarian response capacity in LWF WS Country Programs, member churches and key partners
• Provide updated analysis of evolving humanitarian issues in the region
• Maintain a network of peers in emergency coordination in the country programmes and related agencies for continuous learning and sharing
• Provide training on emergency preparedness and DRR, quality and accountability (e.g. Core Humanitarian Standard, Sphere, Do-No-Harm, LWF CoC, etc).
• Provide remote and on-ground technical support on emergency response proposals and interventions.
• Work together with country management teams and the humanitarian Coordinator, ACT forums and member churches in the region to develop relief and preparedness plans for possible emergency scenarios
• Network with local and regional donor representative
• Regional networking, coordination and representation.
• Represent LWF WS in regional meetings on humanitarian response
• Strengthen relationships with regional offices of key related agencies, partners and UN agencies.
• Represent LWF WS in regional interagency platforms such as ICVA and ReDSS.

Required Qualifications

• University degree in humanitarian aid, emergency preparedness and response, humanitarian law, human rights, economics, international relations, community development, or equivalent. Technical expertise in any of the emergency response sectors is an advantage.
• Fluency in English required. Proficiency in French, Spanish and Arabic are an asset.
• Ability to be deployed immediately to major emergencies
• Knowledge of accountability standards like the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), Sphere, and the principle of Do No Harm. Understanding of rapid gender analysis is highly desirable.

Experience

Additional Study and

• Experience of at least 5 years in emergency response management or community development within faith-based agencies, ecumenical organizations and / or international NGOs.
• Previous engagement in multi-agency groups within the sector.
• Experience in developing positions and providing guidance on relevant themes in the humanitarian sector.
• Proven track record in financial resource mobilization, budgeting and reporting.
• Promoting LWF within existing and new networks as a reliable responder to emergencies.

Core LWF Skills

• Analytical thinking
• Initiative
• Leadership
• Achieving results
• Accountability
• Working effectively with others